Antitheft device for automobiles



Aug. 26, 1924. 1,506,350

S.' M. KUKURA `AN'IITHEFT DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed Aug. lI 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet l Zi FROM TAN/( i g To CAR51/Merril?.Y l I s 27 L j/( g.Z

Aug. 26 1924'.

1,506,350 S. M. KUKURA A-NTITHEFT DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed Aug. l, 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet, 2

vw em frm,

Aug. 26 1924. 1,506,350

` S. M. KUKURA AN'TITHEFT'DEVICE FOI( AUTOMOBILES Filed Aug. l, 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet. 3

fhemMKlI/ura) Patented Auf. 26, 192.4.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

STEPHEN M. KUKURA, 0F STBTHERS, OHIO. ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF T0 MICHAEL 1B. CHUEY.

ANTITHEFT DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILES.

= Application sied August 1, les seriai No. 489,034.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, STEPHEN M, KU- KURA, citizen of the United States, residing at Struthers, in the county of Mahoning and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Antitheft Devices for Automobiles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates o an improvement in anti-theft devices for automobiles.

fr primary object of the invention is to provide a novel device for locking the sev-- eral vital parts of a motor` vehicle against unauthorized use, and to that end it is proposed to provide simple and practical means for preventing the supplying of fuel to the carburetor and likewise preventing the manipuiation of the ignition instrumentalities, while at the same time also providing an alarm which will automatiealiy function if the main switch of the vehicle is tampered with.

A further object of the invention is tol or vide a simple, practical and reliable de- 'ice that may be easily and readily manipelated by the proper parties to set the parts of the car against operation, or on the other hand release them for use.

lVith the above and other objects in view which will more readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated and claimed.

A preferred and sractieal embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a front elevation of my improved device.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof with the cover removed. l

Figure 3 is a detail view of the magneti'- cally released lock for the fuel control means.

Figure 4 is a diagram showing the circuits involved.

Figures 5 to 8 inclusive are diagrams representing successive positions of the devicesfor different positions of the manually operated setting unit.

.Similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

Although the invention is susceptible of i embodiment inivarious structural'forms and is subject vto ajvid'e range of modification, a convenient and practical construction is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and yfrom whichit vvillbe observed that all ofthe various control devices may be assembled withina'suitabe b oX' or casing i cglmveniently mounted on the dash of an zuitomobile'either in a concealed or exposed position as desired, and serving t0 house and protect the said control devices against unauthorized access.

'From Figure" 2 it will be observed .that the interior of .the box 1 may be provided with 4suitable supporting Walls 2, 3 and al, the iirst'twofpreferably being arranged in spaced parallel 'relation while the latter is ar fanged at right anges to provide for con` veniefutly supporting. the desired instrumentalities within' .thecasing and also bracing' the walls or 'partitions 2 and 3.

The outer front wall lofthe casing may be provided with a suitable selector device or manually voperated unit H consisting of the dial or indexmember 5 'adapted to operate 'in connection with the finger or pointer'fvupon the manipulation ofthe operators knob 7 This rknob is carried by one end rof'a main operating shaft 8 that may be manipilatedto operate a. combined fuel ,and ignition control switch A and which serves as a check upon a key con` trolied main switch B. This main switch B may have the key receiving end of its locking barrel 9 also exposed through the front face la Vof thev casing as shown in Figure l, and may be of any practical and well known construction but essentially includes a relatively shiftable blade 10 adapted to be moved into and out of engagement with the relatively fixed contact 11 by a shiftable member 9 of the lock thereby to open and close'the circuit through the main switch when" thelock 9 is manipulated by a proper key.

The eombined'fuel and ignition switch unit A controls the fuel supply device C and also at certain stages of its operation may open and elose' an `electric circuit to an alarm switch D .which may he connected by suitable wiringwith the horn or other signal ofthe vehicle.

Referring now more 'particiilz'trlyto the detailsoic construction 'of the several interdependent units' A513, 'C' adD 'it may be observed thatthe fuel 'and .ignition control unit A, which includes the shaft 8 previously referred to, may also include a metallic ring 12 adapted to be slidably engaged by the front end 13 of a switch blade 14 carried on the shaft 8 and having a depending contact foot 14a for successively engaging with a plurality of contacts, 15 and 16 for example, arranged within the circle described by the ring 12.

The said ring 12 and contacts 15 and 16 are mounted on the wall or partition 2 which is an insulating member and therefore conveniently provides for mounting the multiplicity of contacts in the desired arrangement and order to suit the movement of the shaft switch blade 14:. The contact 15 may be termed the fuel or gas control contact while the contact 16 controls the ignition. Upon shifting the switch blade 14 to proper position it completes the circuit between ring 12 and either contact 15 or 16, thus causing the circuit to be closed to the automatic releasing device for the 'gas line, and also subsequently closed to the ignition system to enable the machine to operate.

The gas supply device C preferably includes in its organization a suitable magnet 15 electrically connected with the contact 15 of the switch unit A, the same being adapted to lift and release a locking detent 17 pivotally supported as at 18 on the floor of the casing whereby its relatively free or swinging end may engage with a notch 19 in a shiftable operators rod 20 suitably guided in the casing to' shift transversely thereof and provided at its front end with the operators knob or handle 21. The shifting of the rod 20 in the direction of its axis is thereby obviously controlled by the locking detent 17. If the detent 17 is in the notch 19 the rod cannot be shifted, but when the magnet 15il is energized by the closing of the circuit thereto through the switch device A the detent will be raised, and the said rod may be moved to thereby operate the gas control connections, which in the present arrangement may consist of a lever 22 connected with the rod as at 23 and pivoted as at 24 whereby its end 25 may shift or move to control a valve stem 26 pivotally connected thereto. The said valve stem 26 operates in a casing or pipe 27 while the head 28 thereof operates in connection with a seat 29 in the fuel supply line 30 leading from the fuel tank to the carburetor. In the arrangement shown, when it is desired to close the gasoline line, the rod 2O may be pulled inwardly which will permit the detent 17 to drop by gravity into thel keeper notch 19, and on the other hand when it is desired to open the gas supply line the switch device A is manipulated to energize the magnet 16 and thereby lift the detent 17 to raise it from the notch to permit the rod 2O to be pushed outwardly, consequently opening the fuel supply line.

After the fuel supply line is opened, by the proper manipulation of the knob '7 the shaft may be rotated to place the switch blade 1j1 so that it will bridge the ring 12 and ignition contact 16, whereupon the car may be started.

The combined gas and ignition control device A may also be utilized to set the alarm switch D in such a position that unauthorized tampering with the main switch, for example, will cause an alarm to be given through the' sounding of the horn of the vehicle, or a separate horn if desired. To i that end the 'shaft 8 of the alarm unit D may7 be provided with an extension S and may carry an angular foot 31 having an insulating abutment part 32 for engaging with the switch blade 33 of the alarm switch. The said switch blade 33 is preferably mounted upon an axis 34 in alinement with but independent of the shaft 8, and the outer end 35 thereof engages with a contact ring 36 having an insulated portion 37 therein, whereby the horn or other alarm may be cut out when desired by an authorized party. That is to say, when the operator leaves the machine the shaft S may be manipulated through the handle 7 to place the blade 38 any place on the ring 36 which will enable a circuit to be closed to the horn if the main switch is closed by an unauthorized key, but to prevent such sounding of the signal when an authorized party operates the switch, the blade 33 may be placed on the insulating section 37 which will prevent the soui'iding of the horn, as will hereinafter more fully appear.

Referring to the wiring connections for accomplishing the desired functions of the device, reference may be made to the diagram shown in Figure 4C, wherein the several parts are set to permit the circuit to be closed to the ignition system.

For normal running purposes the current may be supplied from the battery or other source of energy through the main switch B through the spark plugs and other electrical apparatus of the machine by means of wiring connections from the battery or other source of supply, through the main switch unit B and the fuel and ignition control unit A. To that end, the battery line a may be connected to a. suitable distributing plate b having connected thereto the line c leading to the movable member 10 of the main switch unit B. Then the plate 10 of the switch unit B is in contact with the fixed contact member 11 of the switch the circuit will be completed through the line cl to the ring 12 of the combined gas and ignition control unit A, and from the said ring 12 it will be completed through the blade 14 to the contact 16 from whence it will go through llO the connection' to thellectrical translatl-" ing devices ofthe ignitionsystemandvthen" back through the Wire fto the met'al"batteryvv plate ZJ and Vthence to the battery thro'ugi` wirea.. Y

Preliminary,` however; to the operation Voff the machine through the normal operating circuit described, it Will be :necessary to open" the fuel supply 'line ztothe carbureter, 'andi to that end suitable Wiring; connections arev provided between the switch `unit A and'- thef magnet ofthe gas supply device 0. connections -may be traced 'asfolloivs'i From the battery connection 'il to plate line c, closed sivitchpaits 10 v`andil'l, line' df ring 12, blade 14,-c'onta'ct 415, 'iv-ire g", 15a andivire 7L' to battery plate'b andftheic'ef to the Source.' n In yeachfof ythe foregoing p'e'ratiofiistlie" alarm sivitcli D is opemfsin'ceiin the tions i given it is' 'assumedfthatftheihain switch B is operated by'akey 'in'ftheflianldsf of an authorized person." Apreionsly; iiidicatedythe/ first step 'in the proper operation of the device is the manipulation ofthe kii'ibl 'T to 'shift the blade33 onto the `'insulated"siediE tion'37 ofthe ring 36. i y j 'I l However, should the 'main sliv'itch'Bfbe' closed by an unauthorized "key ivhile thief blade 33`is-off Iof the"i'nsula ted:sectionl37f and in contact with the metallic'ir'inglSG,the circuit will be completed asffollovvsi from' battery plate ZJ through.connectionm tothe? horn and hence from theilior'n'throil'gh n to ringSG'; from ring SGthrOiigh'fbladeS to Wire o and from then'cffthro ugli4 "cl'oseilj switch parts 11 and- 1'0'tofWire leading battery plate Y Although' the foregoi ng' circuits are :traced over a complete double 'vvireisystenifoitihe' sake of clearness, it will, of course, be understood that the return to the battery inwall circuits may be conveniently accomplished by utilizing the frameof theniacliinef-as the ground in the usual-andivell knovvn'manner.

The operation of the device is substantially as follows When it is desired to park the car, the operator opens the members 10 and 11 of the main switch unit B and removes his key from the locking barrel 9, and at the same time rotates the knob 7 to any point on the dial 5 except the particular point Which designates the place at which the blade 38 may be set to rest upon the insulated section 37 of ring 36 in the horn switch (see Fig. 5). In the present illustration the pointer 6 on the shaft 8 is set at 13 on the dial to place the blade 33 on the insulated section. Thus, when the operator leaves the car and opens theA main switch B the shaft 8 should be rotated so that the pointer will read to any other figure than 13 on the dial thus placing the blade 33 in position to complete the circuit should the main switch B be closed j Also uponl leaving the' car, Aand Vafter havingr 'setl the 'alarm switch, the 'operator pushes thef-i0-d`720 invvaidlybylfneans of the knob 'thef ldeteiit l1'?" l.to drop into Lthe riotcilifl)i prevent manipulation weinigen ofiub enncti'ons'.' i

The exepbrafion*involves 'the shifting offthe knob "7 in a" cofntenclockivise directioiifsee Fig. 7") from point-13 onthe dial t0"th e'p'iiit 55 for example, which will shift1 th'ebladel'f thfsiv'itch unitA to bridgethrin'g IQand contact 135, thereby energizing i the1magnet515@'and4 -lifting the d etent 17 out of the notch 19 permitting the rodf Q0;"tojbe*pushedtiihivardlyIto open the fuel s'up'plyilinet'o the "carburetei:

' Uponigfilitherfturnin'githe knobistillin a Coi-ifter-clocl'iviseiltilirec'tionj (se e"Fig. 8) to 'a p'sitfiein"v indicatfedby' :substantially thc paies zr-anf'aiesfeiai f the fpntei 'i4 -wiu im shifted? tcibriugeffth @crimes '-12 and 16 ands thereby ficlose'l'fthe f ignition circuit to permit the operation'of"thelcan Yhe'fthe circuit iis *completed from"- thc switchfunitiA "to 'tabel-'gas supply unit Gor throughjthe ignition-'contact' 16, it will folloW the line previously described to produce the desired results.

From the foregoing it is believed that it Will be apparent that the present invention provides novel and effective means for locking or controlling the fuel supply of the motor vehicle, and also giving an adequate alarm in the event of unauthorized tampering, and While a simple and practical embodiment has been illustrated and described, it Will of course be understood that changes in the form, proportions and minor details of construction can be resorted to Without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An anti-theft device for motor vehicles adapted to close the fuel line, lock the ignition system, and sound an alarm device; comprising, a panel member, a key lll) controlled main switch accessible from the face of the anel, a knob and dial also exposed on t e panel, a valve in the fuel line, a manually shiftable rod projectin through the panel and o eratively connecte ing controlled by said knob,

2. An anti-theft ldevice for motor vehicles adapted to close the fuel liiie, lock the ignition system and sound lan.. alarm device comprising, a panel member, a'l key-controlled main switch accessible fromA the 'face of the panel, a valve in 'theffuel line, ajmanual actuator fory the valve accessible at the face of the panel, a locking device for said actuator including'a magnet adapted .to be in circuit with the main switch, a knob and a dial exposed on the panel, a shaft for the knob, a rotary switch including an arm on the shaft Aand ignition and magnetcontrolling contacts, and an alarm switch including a iioating switch arm and -an alarm contact, and means carried by the said shaft for moving said floating switch arm.

3. An anti-theft device for motor vehicles adapted to close the fuel line, and lock the ignition system and sound an alarm device comprising; a panel member, a key-controlled main switch accessible from the face of the panel, a valve in the fuel line, a manual actuator for the valve, a lock for the.

actuator, a magnet for controlling the lock and included in circuit with the main switch, a shaft journaled in the panel, a knob on the shaft, a rotary switch vincluding an arm on the shaft-and ignition and magnet-controlled contacts respectively in circuit with tlie magnet and ignition system of the motor vehicle, and an alarm switch consisting of a conductor ring having insulating sections, a floating switch arm pivoted at the axis of the contact ring and adapted to engage either the ring or insulatedv section, and an arm carried by said shaft for engaging with said switch arm.

4. A n -anti-vtheft'device for motor vehicles adapted' to close the fuel line, lock the ignition system and sound an alarm device comprising; 'a panel member, a key-controlled switch ymain accessible from the face of the panel, a knob and pointer, a dial for the pointer, a shaft journaled in the panel and carryingfthelknob and pointer, a valve in the fuel line having a stem, a manual actuator forgsaid stemaccessible from the face offthepanel, aigravity4 lock for said manual actuator,v an electro-magnet for controlling said lockfand included -in 'the circuit with theLmainswitch, a rotary switch also in circuit withgthe main lswitch and comprising a conductor ring and magnet control and ignition contacts respectively in circuit with the mainswitch and with the magnet and igniton system of the vehcle, a switch arm carried-byl the shaftand manually engaging said ring and adapted to engage alternately with the magnet control or ignition contact, and an alarm switch comprising a conductor ringalso concentric with said shaft and having an insulated section, a floating switch armf-adaptecl to bear on said ring or insulated section, andan arm carried by said shaftffor engaging with said floating switch arm.

,In4 testimony whereof I hereunto aix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

- l STEPHEN M. KUKURA.

yWitnesses:

Amon MCGINN, 

